[Restriction endonuclease analysis of Chlamydia trachomatis DNA]

Twelve serovar type strains (C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L1, L2 and L3) and eight isolates (D, 4; E, 2; K, 2) of C. trachomatis were examined by restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) of DNA extracted from the elementary bodies. No difference was observed in DNA patterns of three serotypes (L1, L2 and L3) of the biovar LGV when they were digested with EcoRI and analysed by electrophoresis in a 0.6% agarose gel. The genital strains of the biovar trachoma (serovars D-K) showed similar EcoRI patterns with or without detectable differences. Serovar C of the biovar trachoma differed from the biovar LGV and the genital strains. Comparative analysis of DNAs digested with EcoRI, BamHI, HindIII, SalI and NcoI revealed that C. trachomatis isolates belonging to serovars D and K, but not E, could be subdivided into different genome types. These results suggest that DNA cleavage pattern analysis is useful for epidemiological, clinical, and taxonomic studies of C. trachomatis.